Morgan Kleinpeter stood at the kitchen stove waiting for the water to boil. His cat Merle lay in the middle of the stove sleeping and softly snoring. Morgan reached over and stroked the old cat, and he wondered if the poor fellow had fleas.
He picked a china cup and saucer from those with painted roses. He set them on the glass table beside the window. Then he poured the water into the antique teapot that Flora bought on their trip to England.
“Morgan, what is that animal doing on the stove? This will never do.” Lovely Flora came into the kitchen trailing lavender ostrich feathers and smelling of heavy perfume. “And you’re wearing that old stained robe. My mother was right.”
Morgan said, “Dear, I got up early and fixed your favorite tea, Heavenly Light.”
Flora smiled at Morgan as she sat down. “And get that animal off the stove. It probably has fleas.”